Physical Self-Perception and Sport’s Activity Applied in Physical Education Context: The Self-Efficacy of Achievement Performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study case has a double purpose. It aims 1) to examine students’ physical self-perception (PSP) in physical education (PE) with construction and validation of (PSP) Questionnaires; 2) to analyse the relationships between students’ self-perception, physical condition, body fat, appearance, self-esteem , all to predict student ‘physical’ self-efficacy in and outside secondary school. Participants consist of 179 secondary-school students 15 to 19 years old (109 girls; 70 boys). The first study was designed to develop and validate (PSP) Questionnaires among pupils. Factor analyses were conducted to determine the underlying structure of the (PSP). The confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess reliability and validity of the Questionnaires. In a second study, correlation designs were used to evaluate relationships between (PSP) and performance in for physical education activities (gymnastics, shot put, basket-ball and long jump). Then, a deductive study, testing a model of predictors ‘physical’ self efficacy with regression analyses, was undertaken. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that the final items version of the PSP questionnaire is represented by eight variables, respectively. These have been labeled: (appearance, body fat, strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, self esteem and health). The (PSP) items display satisfactory internal consistency values with α = .76 and α =.73), respectively. ‘Physical’ self efficacy was predictable from performance (β = .508, p < .001), physical condition (β = .181, p < .001), self esteem (β = .91, p < .05), and health (β = .188, p < .01). Some sub-scales of (PSP) can be predictors for ‘physical’ self efficacy. A good correlation between physical self-perception (PSP) and the self-efficacy was highlighted. Thus the (PSP) Questionnaire provides a useful method to study the relationships between the physical self-perception and physical education average performance in order to predict the ‘physical’ self-efficacy. Estimating that this method may have implications for prescription of ‘physical’ self-efficacy and promoting the physical well-being, it can be extended to other populations in order to be confirmed and to have a more general value.

Keywords: Physical self-perception, Self-esteem, Performance, Self-Eefficacy.